Print ordering method, printing system and film scanner

ABSTRACT

In a printing system, a developed photo filmstrip is put in a film scanner to pick up image data from all picture frames photographed on the filmstrip. An index image of the picture frames is displayed based on the image data, so a user selects picture frames to print with reference to the index image while designating a print size to each picture frame. The image data of each designated picture frame is compressed at a rate that is decided according to the print size. The higher compression rate is used for the smaller the print size. The compressed image data and print order data are transferred to a work station of a photofinisher. The photofinisher reproduces the original image data from the compressed image data, and makes prints based on the image data and print order data.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/046,590 filed Mar. 24,1998, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to printing method and system whichsimplify ordering digital prints and improves efficiency of printingwithout lowering print quality. The present invention relates also to afilm scanner for use in the printing system.

2. Background Arts

In the present photo-printing system, photographer or user is requiredto go to a retail D.P.E. (Develop, Print & Enlarge) agent in order tohave the exposed photo film developed and printed at a photo-finisher.Thereafter, the user has to go to the retail D.P.E. agent again on orafter a designated delivery date to receive the finished prints anddeveloped photo film. Accordingly, the user has to go to the D.P.E.agent twice at every print order.

If the user does not wish to print all picture frames on the filmstrip,but wishes to check and designate some picture frames to print withreference to the developed filmstrip, the user must go to the D.P.E.agent more than twice. However, printing qualified picture frames onlyis economically preferable.

Meanwhile, digital printing is getting popular these days, as personalcomputers, digital cameras, image scanners and other high-tech digitalimaging devices are getting widely used. Digital prints are made byprocessing image data on the personal computer and printing out hardcopies through a personal-use printer of ink jet type or thermal type.The personal-use printer is not able to provide high print quality incomparison with professional printers. In addition, since the price ofthe personal-use printer is not so reasonable, the conventional digitalprint system turns out to be costly for most users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, a prime object of the present invention is toprovide a printing method and a printing system therefor, through whichthe user can order and receive high quality digital prints with ease ata low cost.

To achieve the above objects, a printing method of the present inventionis comprised of: picking up digital image data from picture framesphotographed on photo film; displaying video images of the pictureframes based on the image data; designating picture frames to print withreference to the video images; assigning a print size to each of thedesignated picture frames; compressing the image data of each of thedesignated picture frames at a rate that is decided according to theprint size, such that the higher compression rate is used for thesmaller print size; and transferring the compressed image data and theprint order data to a photofinisher through a data communication device,for making prints based on the transferred image data and print orderdata.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the image data ispicked up from each of the designated picture frames at a resolutionthat is decided according to the print size, such that the higherresolution is used for the larger print size.

A printing system of the present invention is comprised of an imagingdevice for picking up digital image data from picture framesphotographed on photo film; a data entry device for designating pictureframes to print and entering print order data to each of the designatedpicture frames, print order data including a print size of each of thedesignated picture frames; a data processing device for processing theimage data, the data processing device compressing the image data ofeach of the designated picture frames at a rate that is decidedaccording to the print size; a data communication device fortransferring the compressed image data and the print order data to awork station of a photofinisher; and a digital printer for making printsbased on the transferred image data and print order data under thecontrol of the work station.

According to a preferred embodiment, the imaging device picks up theimage data from each of the designated picture frames at a resolutionthat is decided according to the print size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments, when read in connection with the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, wherein like reference numerals designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall construction of adigital printing system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a film scanner of the digital printingsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a digital printer;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an operation sequence of the digitalprinting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the overall construction ofdigital printing system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a film scanner of the digital printingsystem of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an operation sequence of the digitalprinting system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another operation sequence of thedigital printing system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of producing correctiondata by use of a test picture recorded on a filmstrip;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of digital printing;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a recording device forphotographically recording test pictures on negative filmstrips;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a test picture recorded on a negativefilmstrip;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a device for detecting correction datafrom the test picture recorded on the filmstrip;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a test picture having a density charttherein;

FIG. 15 is a graph showing a relationship between ideal negativedensities of a test picture and actual negative densities measured fromthe test picture recorded on a negative filmstrip;

FIG. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between the actual negativedensities and corrected negative densities;

FIG. 17A is an ideal density histogram of a test picture; and

FIG. 17B is an actual density histogram obtained from the test picturerecorded on a negative filmstrip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In a printing system shown in FIG. 1, a user 10 of the printing systemis provided with a film scanner 11 and a color monitor 12, whereas aphotofinisher 13 is provided with a work station 14 for receiving andprocessing print order data from the user 10, a large scale memory 15,printers 16, 17 and 18, a bill printer 19 and an envelope printer 20.The film scanner 11 of the user 10 and the work station 14 are connectedto each other by way of a well-known personal computer communicationusing modems 21 and 22 and a telephone circuit 23. The work station 14,the memory 15 and the modem 22 constitute a database 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the film scanner 11 is constituted of a film feedingsection 25, a frame imaging section 26, an input image memory 27, aprocess controller 28, a magnetic read-write section 29, an imageprocessor 30, a work memory 31, a memory 32, a monitor displaycontroller 33 and a data communication terminal 34.

The film feeding section 25 consists of a cartridge holder 41 forholding a photo film cartridge 40, a spool drive shaft 42, a guideroller pair 43, a feed roller pair 44, and a cylindrical film acceptingportion 45. The cartridge holder 41 has a cavity and a lid for closingan open end of the cavity. When the photo film cartridge 40 is set inthe cavity of the cartridge holder 41, the spool drive shaft 42 isengaged with a spool of the cartridge 40. The spool drive shaft 42 isdriven by a motor 46 to rotate the spool in a winding direction or anunwinding direction. The motor 46 is also used for rotating the feedroller pair 44.

The cartridge 40 has a device for advancing a leader of a filmstrip 47to the outside upon the spool being rotated in the unwinding direction.When the leader comes to squeeze into between the feed roller pair 44,the filmstrip 47 is transported by the rotation of the feed roller pair44, and the spool drive shaft 42 is disconnected from the motor 46. Thefilm accepting portion 45 accept the filmstrip 47 in the form of a coil.It is to be noted that the filmstrip 47 has been exposed and developed,so it has positive picture frames thereon.

The frame imaging section 26 and the magnetic read-write section 29 aredisposed between the guide roller pair 43 and the feed roller pair 44.The frame imaging section 26 consists of a light source 48 and animaging device 49. The light source 48 consists of a fluorescent lamp 50whose light emission properties are suitable for the photo film, and areflector 61 and a diffusion plate 52. The imaging device 49 isconstituted of an image scanner having a line image sensor, which scansthe picture frames synchronously with the film feeding, detecting imagedata from the picture frames. The image data is stored in the inputimage memory 27.

The magnetic read-write section 29 reads photographic data from atransparent magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 47 through amagnetic head 54, and sends the photographic data to the processcontroller 28. In this embodiment, the photographic data includes frameserial numbers that are used for identifying individual picture frames.The photographic data may include the date of photography or a title.Then, the date of photography or the title is displayed near by thecorresponding picture frame on the color monitor 12. It is also possibleto enter data, such as title data for a picture frame, by the filmscanner 11, and write the title data on the magnetic recording layer inassociation with the corresponding picture frame by the magnetic head 54of the magnetic read-write section 29.

The image processor 30 process the image data by use of the work memory31, for γ-correction, color correction, trimming, data synthesizing formerge printing, image magnification or reduction, and/or datacompression.

The process controller 28 is constituted of a microcomputer, andcontrols the respective elements of the film scanner 11 in a sequentialfashion. A keyboard 55 and a mouse 56 are connected to the processcontroller 28. The process controller 28 may be switched over between arough imaging and monitoring mode, a print option mode, a fine imagingmode and a print ordering mode by operating the keyboard 55 and themouse 56.

In the rough imaging and monitoring mode, an index image consisting ofpositive images of a plurality of picture frames, e.g., all pictureframes of the filmstrip 47, which are reduced in size and arranged in amatrix, is displayed on the color monitor 12. The process controller 28drives the frame imaging section 26 to pick up image data from therespective picture frames, and writes the image data in the input imagememory 27. Because high resolution image data is not necessary forproducing the index image, the imaging device 49 picks up image data ata low resolution by the pixel combining. The image processor 30sequentially writes the image data picked up at the low resolution inthe work memory 31, producing data of the index image. The monitorcontroller 33 reads out the data of the index image from the work memory31, to display the index image on the color monitor 12.

In the print option mode, the user selects a picture frame to print withreference to the index image on the color monitor 12. Specifically, theuser places a cursor on the picture frame to print and clicks adesignated push switch of the mouse 56. It is alternatively possible toenter the frame serial number of the picture frame to print through thekeyboard 55. It is possible to use other data input device, e.g., alight pen and a touch panel sensor.

As print option data, print number data indicating the number of printsto make from each picture frame, and print size data are combined withframe number data indicating the frame serial number of the selectedpicture frame. In the present embodiment, the default value of the printnumber data is “1”, and the default value of the print size data is“standard size”. If the user wishes more than one print from one pictureframe, or a special print size, the user enter an appropriate number orsize by a conventional method. The entered print option data is storedin the memory 32.

The print size data designates an aspect ratio such as a standard size,a wider high-vision size, or a panoramic size, as well as a paper sizesuch as E size, L size, cabinet size, A1, A2, A3 or A4 size, or otherlarge size. As will be described later, silver-salt photo printers areused for E size, L size and cabinet size, whereas ink jet printers orthermal printers are used for larger sizes.

In the fine imaging mode, the process controller 28 reads out the frameserial number and the print size of the picture frame from the memory32, and sets up a resolution of the imaging device 49 according to theprint size: the higher resolution is selected for the larger size print.If the high-vision size or the panoramic size is designated, the processcontroller 28 controls the imaging device 49 to pick up image data froma part of the picture frame that corresponds in aspect ratio to thedesignated size.

In the print ordering mode, the user enters print order data other thanthe print option data. The print order data includes delivery time data,delivery style data, payment option data, and user ID data. The enteredprint order data is stored in the memory 32, and displayed on the colormonitor 12 in the next print ordering mode as well as in the presentprint ordering mode. Thus, the user has to enter only those print orderdata items that are to revise. When the user terminates entering theprint order data, the process controller 28 drives the datacommunication terminal 34 to transfer the print order data to thedatabase 24 of the photofinisher 13 through the telephone circuit 23.

The user ID data is to identify the user, and is constituted of user'sname, address, zip code, phone number and user ID number. When the user10 registers with the photofinisher 13 before or at the first printingorder, the photofinisher 13 gives the user ID number and a password tothe user 10. Next time, the user has only to enter the user ID numberand password, so the user 10 is identified by the database 24. The usermay register those combinations of print order data that are frequentlyadopted by the user, as number codes, so the user may enter the printorder data by entering the number code.

The delivery time data indicates an expected delivery date and time.Several kinds of dates are set up by a photofinisher in advance, and anappropriate one is selected from these options, e.g., a delivery within12 hours after receiving order, a delivery within 24 hours afterreceiving order or a delivery within two days after receiving order.Instead of that, an expected delivery date and time can be designated.The delivery style data indicates the way of delivery, so an appropriateone is selected from several options, such as by mail, by a homedelivery service or by hand-delivery at a retail D.P.E. agent.

The payment option data indicates the way of payment. If a delivery bymail or home delivery service is expected, payment by credit card, byprepaid card, by electronic money or by automatic transfer from user'saccount to photofinisher's account, or payment into photofinisher'saccount may be selected. In addition, payment in cash may be selected ifhand-delivery is selected.

The work station 14 of the photofinisher 13 has a high-functionalhigh-speed computer because of a larger amount of data to deal with. Thework station 14 is set up with well-known database software. Thedatabase software corresponds to the image processing-ordering softwareof the film scanner 11. Upon receipt of the print order data from theuser 10, the work station 14 sends back data of a reception number, apossible delivery time and the charge of printing to the user 10.

The above-mentioned digital printers 16 to 18 are loaded with differentsizes of photographic materials from each other, and with a recordingmedium, so that these printers 16 to 18 make prints in different sizes.The printers 16 and 17 are silver-salt type color digital printers,which make scanning-exposure of silver-salt color photo paper (calledcolor paper) to an optical image that is formed based on digital data.The printers 16 and 17 use positive-to-positive type color paper that isexposed to positive images.

As shown in FIG. 3, the silver-salt type color digital printer 16 isprovided with an exposure unit 30 of Laser scanning-exposure type, whichmodifies the Laser beam based on the image data. Synchronously withtransportation of color paper 61, scanning-exposure of each of yellow,magenta and cyan photo sensitive layers of the color paper 61 is carriedout, to record each image on the color paper 61. The exposed color paper61 is developed by a paper processor 62, then it is cut into individualframes based on cut marks. In this way, a print 63 of L size is madeout. A back printer 64 is provided in the silver-salt type color digitalprinter 16. The back printer 64 records the reception number, the userID number and bar codes of these numbers on the back of the color paper61 corresponded to each frame. The other silver-salt type color digitalprinter 17 has the same composition as the color digital printer 16. Theprinter 17 is loaded with color paper for cabinet size print, to makecabinet size prints 65.

The exposure unit 60 of the Laser scanning-exposure type may be replacedwith an area-exposure type printer using CRT and LCD panel, or aline-exposure type printer. Instead of modifying the light beam, it ispossible to use a micromirror device for the scanning-exposure. Themicromirror device is the device in which small size micromirrors arearranged in a line or matrix, and which deflects incident light bycontrolling tilt angle of each micromirror.

If negative-to-positive type color paper is used, the image data issubjected to conversion from positive to negative. Thispositive/negative conversion is carried out in image processing sectionsof the digital printers 16 to 18, or it can be carried out in an imageprocessing section of the work station 14. In the image processingsections of the digital printers 16 to 18, γ-correction and matrixcorrection are carried out to make density and color balance of theconsequent prints best.

The printer 18 is constituted of a well-known ink jet type color digitalprinter. When the print size data designates a large size print, such asA0 to A4 size, the ink jet type printer 18 is selected. Therefore,different sizes of recording paper strips 66 are set in the printer 18,and one recording paper is selected according to the designated printsize. A back printer is also provided in the printer 17, to print thereception number, the user ID number, and their bar codes on the back ofthe recording paper strip 66.

The bill printer 19 prints out a bill 67 based on the data of the workstation 14. The envelope printer 20 prints user's address, name and zipcode on a delivery envelope 68. Besides, these printers 19 and 20respectively print the reception number, the user ID number and bar codeof these numbers on the bill 67 and the delivery envelope 68, for thesake of correlation between the finished prints and the bill 67 and thedelivery envelope 68.

Now the operation of the above embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 4.

The user 10 gets the list of photofinishers 13 to select an appropriatephotofinisher 13 from the list, considering location, charge, availableprint formats, available delivery style, etc. Then, the user 10 accessesthe database 24 of the selected photofinisher 13, to apply forregistration. Then, the work station 14 gives a user ID number and apassword to the user 10. Once the user 10 is registered as a member ofthe printing system, the work station 14 receives any printing ordersfrom the user 10 based on the user ID number and the password.

The user 10 puts the film cartridge 40 in the film scanner 11, and setsthe process controller 28 to the rough imaging and monitoring mode.Then, the imaging device 49 picks up image data from all picture frameson the filmstrip 47 at the low resolution. The image data is processedin the imaging processor 30, and is sequentially written in the workmemory 31 to produce data of an index image. The index image isdisplayed on the color monitor 12 through the monitor controller 39.

Next, the user 10 switches the process controller 28 to in the printoption mode, and specifies picture frames to print and enter the printsize data and the print number data by the mouse 56. The entered printorder data is written in the memory 32. After the print order data entryis accomplished, the process controller 28 is switched to the fineimaging mode. In this mode, based on the print size data read out fromthe memory 32, the imaging device 49 picks up image data from thepicture frames to print each at a higher resolution that is determinedaccording to the designated print size. That is, the pixel density isset the higher for the larger size print. If the high-vision size or thepanoramic size is designated, the process controller 28 controls theimaging device 49 to pick up image data from a part of the picture framethat corresponds in the aspect ratio to the designated size.

The image data picked up in the high resolution mode is processed by theimage processor 30. For-example, the image processor 30 performsγ-correction, matrix correction, letter-illustration composition,magnification or reduction, trimming, image synthesizing, and so forth.After the image processing is complete, the processed image data iscompressed preferably by JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)compression method. But another well-known type data compression methodis applicable. The data compression rate varies depending upon the printsize. For the larger size, the lower compression rate is used to keepadequate image quality. As the print size becomes smaller, the badinfluence of data compression on the image quality is less conspicuous,so a higher compression rate is available. The compressed image data iswritten in the memory 32 in association with the print order data.

After the image data is picked up from all of the picture frames toprint, the process controller 28 is switched to the print ordering modefor entering the delivery time data, the delivery style data and thepayment option data. Thereafter, in response to a user's instruction,the process controller 28 sends the print order data to the database 24of the photofinisher 13.

In the work station 14, the total number of presently accepted ordersand the delivery times thereof are managed. Each time the database 24receives the print order data, it is determined by calculation if it ispossible to deliver the prints in the expected delivery time.Concretely, the time necessary for photofinishing the ordered prints iscalculated based on the print size and the requisite number of prints,the number of orders from other users, and the processing capacity ofthe photofinisher 13. By adding the time taken for photofinishing to thetime taken for delivery, the earliest possible delivery time iscalculated. Then, the work station 14 checks whether the earliestpossible delivery will be in time for the expected delivery time or not.If the calculated delivery time exceeds the expected delivery time, thework station 14 sends a message of unacceptance to the user 10. In thatcase, the user 10 has either to change the expected delivery time, or tocancel the order. If the calculated delivery time is no later than theexpected delivery time, the work station 14 sends a reception number,the delivery time and the charge to the user 10.

The film scanner 11 of the user 10 displays the reception number, thedelivery time and the charge on the color monitor 12. If the useraccepts the displayed delivery time and charge, the user sends thecompressed image data with the reception number to the photofinisher 13.To cancel the printing order, the user does not send the image data.Thus, the user does not need to transfer the image data unless the userconfirm the response from the photofinisher, the printing system of thepresent invention cuts unnecessary cost of data transmission.

Upon receipt of the reception number and the compressed image data fromthe user 10, the work station 14 correlates the image data with theprint order data based on the reception number, and writes the imagedata in association with the relating print order data in the memory 15.If the user does not need to confirm the delivery time and the charge,the user may send the image data concurrently with the print order data.

Then, the work station 14 reads out the compressed image data and theprint order data from the memory 15 in the order of delivery time,expands the compressed image data into the original size, and makesprints in correspondence with the associated print order data. At thistime, the work station 14 selects one of the printers 16 to 18 accordingto the print option data. Thus, a designated number of prints are madein the designated print size. For instance, if the normal L size isdesignated, the printer 16 is selected to make L size prints 63. If thecabinet size is designated, the printer 17 is selected to make cabinetsize prints 65. If the A3 size is designated, the ink jet printer 18 isselected to make A3 size prints 36.

The back printer 64 of each printer 16 to 18 prints the receptionnumber, the user ID number and the bar code of these numbers on the backof each print 63, 65 or 66. The reception number, the user ID number andthe bar code are used to correlate each print with the bill 67 and thedelivery envelope 68 in the delivery process.

Bill printing and envelope printing are carried out in parallel with thephoto-printing or before or after the photo-printing. In the billprinting, the work station 14 prints charge specifications, thereception number, the user ID number and the bar code of these numberswith a fixed format by using the bill printer 19, to issue a bill 67.Similarly, the envelope printer 20 prints user's zip code, address,name, phone number, category code of delivery, reception number, and IDnumber and bar code thereof on the delivery envelope 68. The user's zipcode, address, name and so forth are specified based on the user IDnumber of the print order data. When the delivery envelope 68 has atransparent window, the print of address on the delivery envelope can beomitted by printing these on the bill 67. Different kinds of deliveryenvelopes 68 are prepared for different print sizes. For instance, forthe big size print such as A0 to A3 size, a cylindrical bag is used. Inplace of direct printing on the delivery envelope 68, it is possible toprint on a label, and put the label on the delivery envelope 68.

Since the finished prints 63, 65 or 66, the bill 67 and the deliveryenvelope 68 have the same reception number and bar code, these can becorrelated with one another based on the reception number and bar code.After packing, the delivery style is selected according the deliverystyle data, among from the mail, home delivery service and so forth. Thepacking may be carried out by hand with reference to the receptionnumber. It is possible to pack the finished prints automatically basedon the bar code read by a bar code reader, and then sort the deliveryenvelopes 68 into groups according to the designated delivery style.

The print charge is paid in the way the payment option data designates.For payment by a prepaid card, the user purchases the prepaid card atthe photofinisher 13 or its agency, and enters the card ID number as thepayment option data. By doing so, the work station 14 makes printswithout charging, up to the limit of the prepaid card.

It is possible that the user 10 first sends only the print size data tothe photofinisher 13, so the photofinisher 13 determines the bestcombination of a resolution of the imaging device 49 and a compressionrate of the image data according to the print size. The photofinisher 13sends these values as control data back to the user 10. Then, theresolution and the compression rate are properly adapted to the printsize in accordance with the control data. It is possible to modifyeither the resolution or the compression rate according to the printsize, though the above embodiments modify both values in combination.

FIG. 5 shows a printing system according to another embodiment of theinvention, whose fundamental construction is equivalent to that of thefirst embodiment. Therefore, the following description relates only tothose features which are essential to the present embodiment. In theprinting system of FIG. 5, Internet 70 is used for data communicationbetween a photofinisher 13 and users 10. Therefore, image data isencrypted or encoded before being transferred through the Internet 70.

There are two types cryptographic methods. In one method, called secretkey encryption, the encryption algorithm is disclosed, but theencryption key is secret. For example, conventional FEAL (Fast dataEncipherment Algorithm) and DES (Data Encryption Standard) are thesecret key encryption method. The other method, called disclosed keyencryption, uses disclosed encryption keys. Since the disclosed keyencryption takes much calculation time for both encrypting and decoding,the present embodiment adopt the secret key encryption.

As shown in FIG. 5, a film scanner 11 and a color monitor 12 areinstalled in a user 10, whereas a work station 14, a memory 15, printers16 to 20, and a film processor 71 are installed in the photofinisher 13.The film scanner 11 and the work station 14 are connected to theInternet 70 through modems 21 and 22 and telephone circuits 23 a and 23b. The work station 14 is provided with an encryption key generator 73and a decoder 74. The encryption key generator 73 gives data of aprivate encryption key to each individual user when the user registerswith the photofinisher 13. Concurrently, the work station 14 gives theuser 10 a user ID number and a password. The user 10 may apply for theregistration to the photofinisher 13 through the Internet 70 or othercommunication device. The encryption key data is stored in the memory 15in association with the date of setting-up the encryption key data, anduser ID data including the user ID number. Once the user 10 registerswith the photofinisher 13, the user 10 can access the work station 14 byentering the user ID number and the password. It is preferable toperiodically revise the encryption key data for each user, to reducedamage in case the encryption key data should be stolen.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the film scanner 11 of the user10 is provided with a cryptographic processor 76. The cryptographicprocessor 76 encrypts or encodes image data of the picture framesaccording to the disclosed encryption algorithm by use of the privateencryption key data given by the photofinisher 13. With reference to theuser ID number, the decoder 74 retrieves the encryption key data of theuser 10 from the memory 15, and decodes the encrypted image data by useof the encryption key data.

According to the secret key encryption method, the user 10 as well asthe photofinisher 13 should keep the private encryption key data secretfrom others. For security sake, it is undesirable to transfer theprivate encryption key data through the Internet 70. According to thepresent embodiment, the private encryption key data is recorded on amagnetic recording layer of each filmstrip when the filmstrip isforwarded from the user 10 to the photofinisher 13 for development.

For this purpose, the film processor 21 is provided with a dataread-write section 21 c having a magnetic read-write head 21 b besides aconventional film developing section 71 a. The film processor 21 notonly develops photo filmstrips, but also records the encryption key dataand the user ID data on magnetic recording layers of filmstrips.Specifically, when the photofinisher 13 receives a photo film cartridge40 containing an exposed filmstrip 47, the photofinisher 13 reads filmID data from the cartridge 40, and stores the film ID data in the memory15 association with the user ID data. When the film cartridge 40 isplaced in the film processor 21, the data read-write section 21 c readsout the film ID data from the transparent magnetic recording layer ofthe filmstrip 47, and sends it to the work station 14.

The work station 14 retrieves the user ID data and the privateencryption key data of that user 10 from the memory 15 by use of thefilm ID data, and sends them to the data read-write section 21 c. Then,the data read-write section 21 c writes the encryption key data, theset-up date of the encryption key data and the user ID data on themagnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 47. As the user ID data isassociated with the film ID data in the memory 15, it is possible toomit writing the user ID data on the magnetic recording layer.

The developed filmstrip 47 is rewound back into the cartridge 40, and isreturned to the user 10. When the user 10 puts the cartridge 40 in thefilm scanner 11, the film scanner 11 picks up image data from pictureframes on the filmstrip 47. A magnetic read-write section 29 of the filmscanner 11 reads out the encryption key data and the set-up date of theencryption key data from the magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip47 concurrently with other data, and sends the data to a processcontroller 28. The process controller 28 writes the encryption key dataand the set-up date of the encryption key data in a memory 76 a that isbuilt in the cryptographic processor 76. If the memory 76 a alreadystores any encryption key data therein, the registration dates of thesetwo pieces of encryption key data are compared to each other. If theregistration dates are identical, the already stored encryption key datais maintained. If the memory 76 a stores encryption key data whoseregistration date is older than that of the encryption key data recordedon the filmstrip 47, the older encryption key data is replaced by thenew one. The cryptographic processor 76 encrypts image data by use ofthe encryption key data stored in the memory 76 a.

Now the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 7.

First, the user 10 forwards the photo film cartridge 40 to thephotofinisher 13, ordering development of the filmstrip 47. Thephotofinisher 13 checks if the user 10 is registered. If not, thephotofinisher 13 gives the user 10 a user ID number, a password andprivate encryption key data. The user ID number and the encryption keydata are stored in the memory 15 along with information about the user10, such as the user's name, address, telephone number, and zip code.Concurrently, the photofinisher 13 reads out film ID data from the photofilm to develop, and writes the film ID data in association with theuser ID data in the memory 15.

The photofinisher 13 put the photo film cartridge 40 in the filmprocessor 21 to develop the filmstrip 47. Simultaneously, the film IDdata from the filmstrip 47 is read through the magnetic read-write head21 b of the data read-write section 21 c, and the user ID data and theprivate encryption key data of that user 10 are retrieved from thememory 15 by use of the film ID data. Then, the encryption key data, theset-up date of the encryption key data and the user ID data are writtenon the magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 47 through the magneticread-write head 21 b. The developed filmstrip 47 is rewound back intothe cartridge 40, and is returned to the user 10.

When the user 10 puts the cartridge 40 in the film scanner 11, theencryption key data and the set-up date of the encryption key data areread out from the magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 47 through amagnetic read-write section 29 of the film scanner 11. If the memory 76a stores encryption key data whose registration date is older than thatof the encryption key data recorded on the filmstrip 47, the encryptionkey data is updated.

Thereafter, image data is picked up from all picture frames on thefilmstrip 47. In this embodiment, image data is picked up at highresolution, and data of an index image is produced from the image databy pixel-thinning. It is also possible to pick up image data of allpicture frame at low resolution by the pixel combining, for producingand displaying an index image, and thereafter pick up image data ofselected picture frames at higher resolution, in the same way as in thefirst embodiment.

The user 10 selects picture frames to print, and transfers print orderdata including the user ID number to the work station 14 of thephotofinisher 13 in the same way as in the first embodiment. Then, thework station 14 of the photofinisher 13 sends back data of the deliverydue time and the estimated charge along with a reception number. If theuser accepts the due time and the charge, the user 10 instructs the filmscanner 11 to transfer image data of the selected picture frames. Then,the cryptographic processor 76 reads the encryption key data from thememory 76 a, and encrypts image data by use of the encryption key data.The encrypted image data is transferred to the work station 14, alongwith the reception number.

It is possible to encrypt the print order data too. In that case, theuser ID number is attached to the encrypted print order data as beingtransferred to the photofinisher 13. If the user does not need toconfirm the delivery time and the charge, the user may send theencrypted image data concurrently with the print order data.

Upon receipt of the reception number and the encrypted image data fromthe user 10, the work station 14 correlates the image data with theprint order data based on the reception number, and stores thecorrelated data in the memory 15. The decoder 74 retrieves theencryption key data from the memory 15 based on the user ID numberincluded in the print order data, and decodes the encrypted image data.Thereafter, prints are made from the decoded image data and aredelivered to the user 10 in the same way as described with respect tothe first embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the film processor 21 is used to recordencryption key data on the magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 47.In alternative, the encryption key data may be written on the filmstrip47 a in an order reception device of the photofinisher 13, before thefilmstrip 47 is developed. It is also possible to record the encryptionkey data on the filmstrip 47 by a specific data recording device, afterthe filmstrip 47 is developed by the film processor 21. The encryptionkey data may be recorded optically on the filmstrip 47, e.g. in the formof a bar code, a pattern, or characters, prior to the development. It ispossible to use an IC memory for recording the encryption key data. TheIC memory may be incorporated into the cartridge shell, or may beintegrated in a separate card.

According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the user 10 sets upa private encryption key and records data of the encryption key on themagnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 47 by use of the film scanner11 or a magnetic recording device incorporated into a camera. For thisembodiment, the interior of the film scanner 11 must be light-tight. Itis possible for the user 10 to record the encryption key data opticallyon the filmstrip 47 or electronically on a recording medium such as anIC memory. In any case, the encryption key data is recorded inassociation with the date of setting up the encryption key data, so theencryption key data is always updated.

Since the user can set up the same encryption key as another user's bycoincidence, the photofinisher 13 should check if a newly set encryptionkey is not coincide with any encryption keys of other registered users.If the newly set encryption key coincides with one of the registeredencryption keys, the photofinisher 13 modifies the new one todifferentiate from the older one, and records the modified encryptionkey data on the magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 47 or onanother type of recording medium. Then, the photofinisher 13 shouldinform the user 10 of the modification, e.g. by recording warning dataalong with the modified encryption key data.

In alternative, the user 10 may set up the encryption key at thephotofinisher 13 when ordering a film development. The photofinisher 13checks the coincidence of the encryption key data and, if necessary,requests the user 10 for modification. Thereafter, the encryption keydata is stored in the memory 15, and recorded on the filmstrip 47 by thefilm processor 21 or the like.

It is also possible to set up an encryption key for each photofilmstrip, rather than for each user.

In the above embodiments, the silver-salt color digital printers 16 and17, and the ink jet color printer 18 are installed in the photofinisher13. Besides these, thermal developing-transferring type color printers,color thermal printer, and color Laser printers are applicable. Ofcourse, a monochrome printer is used for making black-and-white prints.

It is possible to order multiprinting, seal-printing, letter-mergedprinting, or black-and-white printing by the print option data. Theseal-printing is to print an image on a sheet with releasing paper, sothe printed image may be used as a seal or sticker.

It is possible to add data of designating manual image correction to theprint option data. In that case, the operator observes a video imagesimulating a finished photo-print, and corrects the image data so as toobtain optimum density and color balance. An extra charge for thecorrection will be added to the print charge.

It is also possible that the film scanner 11 sends the photofinisher 13photographic data useful for print quality improvement that is read fromthe magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 47. The film scanner 11 ofthe present invention may be used for transferring image data from a TVor a video player to the photofinisher 13 in order to make a hard copyof a video image frame.

Meanwhile, it is known in the art that negative photo films in generalhave more or less different coloring characteristics even between thosehaving the same film speed, according to the manufacturer, theenvironments on the manufacture etc. Besides, the coloring densitiesvary depending upon the conditions of the development. Therefore, it isnecessary to compensate for the variations in the coloringcharacteristics, in order to get equally adequate quality of prints fromany photo films. As one method for this purpose, a test pattern or checkpattern is optically recorded on the negative film at a photo-lab beforethe development, to measure the three color densities of the testpattern after the development. Correction values are derived from themeasured three color densities of the test pattern, and are used forcorrecting exposure values of three colors on printing.

Thus, test patterns have conventionally been used only for correctingthe variation in the coloring densities of the negative films. Accordingto a printing method of the present invention, an attractive picture forthe client is used as the test pattern, and is printed with otherpicture frames, to serve as a complimentary photograph.

As shown in FIG. 9, an exposed negative filmstrip is forwarded to aphotofinisher or its agency for printing. The photofinisher entersclient ID data and content of order through a reception processingdevice. The reception processing device produces client database fromentered contents of orders.

The client ID data is to identify each individual client, and isinitially registered at the photofinisher with other information aboutthe client, such as client's address, age, sex etc. It is preferable torecord the client ID data on a memory card, and issue it as an ID cardto each client. Then, the photofinisher can enter the user ID datawithout fail by use of the ID card. The client database consists of aplurality of data files, one file for each client. Each data fileconsists of the date of printing order, the type of film such as themanufacturer, the film speed, and the film length, the type of print,and the bill. The data file also includes the total number of negativesthat have been ordered by the same client.

As for the IX240 type negatives, it is possible to provide a camera witha data setup device for setting up the client ID data, and record theclient ID data on a transparent magnetic recording layer of the negativefilmstrip automatically by the camera. It is also possible that thecamera sums up the number of negative filmstrips that have been exposedby the camera, and records the total on the magnetic recording layer ofthe IX240 type film.

The photofinisher stores data of a large number of test pictures.According to the total number of negative filmstrips, one test pictureis chosen among the stored test pictures. In this way, a different testpicture is chosen for each negative filmstrip of the same client, soeach client does not get the same complimentary photograph as before,but always gets a different complimentary photograph.

As the test pictures are stored such pictures that many people would bepleased to get them, e.g., famous landscapes, famous constructions,portraits of popular actors, actresses, sports players and so forth.Because the clients have different tests in photographs from each other,it is desirable to enter the preference of each individual client in thedatabase, and choose a test picture from those preferable for theclient. It is possible to put an ad in the test picture.

It is necessary to prepare so many test pictures that an ordinarycapacity memory of a small-scale photo lab is not sufficient to storeand manage all of the test pictures. Therefore, the small-scalephoto-lab had better to store and manage data of those test pictureswhich are frequently used, whereas a photo-lab center stores and managesdata of those being rarely used. The small-scale photo-lab retrieves thedata of the test picture from the photo-lab center through acommunication circuit. Networking small-scale photo-labs through thephoto-lab center makes it easy to revise the test picturessimultaneously in every photo-lab.

A test picture is selected from the stored test pictures according tothe total of the negative filmstrips that the client have ever orderedto print, while considering the client's taste. The test picture isoptically recorded on an unexposed leading or trailing end portion ofthe negative filmstrip by a video printer, e.g. a Laser printer, a CRTprinter, an LCD printer. The video printer controls exposure accordingto the film speed. Ideal characteristic value data is appended to eachtest picture. The ideal characteristic values may be ideal densities andcolor distributions of the test picture, ideal pixel densities of thenegative image of the test picture, or ideal densities of the consequentprint.

When the negative filmstrip is of IX240 type, the ideal characteristicvalue data is written on the magnetic recording layer of the negativefilmstrip. When the negative filmstrip is of ISO135 type, the idealcharacteristic value data is written on a memory of a device forcalculating correction values. In that case, an ID number is given toeach individual test picture and its ideal characteristic value data, sothe ID number is used as an address for retrieving the idealcharacteristic value data from the memory.

After the test picture is recorded, the negative filmstrip is developedin a film processor. The developed filmstrip is put in a scanner tomeasure the densities of the test picture. Then, correction data isderived from differences between the measured values and the idealcharacteristic values, the differences being dependent upon thecondition of development and the film type.

As the correction data, a correction table is used for the digitalprinters, and well-known exposure correction values are used for frameexposure type printers. In the correction table, each level of measuredactual densities, (i.e., image data of the test picture) are correlatedwith corrected densities (i.e., normalized image data). Thus, image dataof picture frames to print may be converted into corrected image datathrough the correction table. As for color images, it is necessary tocorrect color balance and density, so that the correction data isproduced for each of the three primary colors. As for black-and-whiteimages, the correction data is used for density correction only.

The correction data is transferred to the printer by way of a cablesystem or a radio system, or a recording medium like a memory card.Concerning the IX240 type negative filmstrips, the correction data maybe written on the magnetic recording layer. Then, the correction data isavailable on reprinting.

When pictures are printed on photographic paper in the printer, densityand color balance of the test picture and the picture frames to printare corrected by use of the correction data. An add copy may be printedon the obverse or the reverse surface of the photographic paper. It ispossible to write data of the add copy on the magnetic recording layerof the IX240 type filmstrip.

As shown in FIG. 10, when using a digital video printer, image data ofthe test picture and the picture frames to print is picked up by thescanner, and is corrected by use of the correction table. The digitalvideo printer makes prints of the test picture and the other pictureframes based on the corrected image data. In the frame exposure printer,the exposure amount is controlled by changing exposure time or filterinsertion amounts according to exposure correction values that arederived from differences between actually measured LATD (Large AreaTransmittance Density) and ideal LATD included in the idealcharacteristic value data.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of recording device for photographicallyrecording test pictures on negative filmstrips. An IX240 type photo filmcartridge 110 contains a negative filmstrip 111 exposed by a client.When a spool 112 of the cartridge 110 is rotated in an unwindingdirection, the exposed negative filmstrip 111 is advanced out of thecartridge 110. As a trailing end portion SA of the IX240 type filmstrip111 is maintained unexposed by the camera, a test picture is recorded onthe trailing end portion SA.

Client ID data is recorded on a magnetic recording layer of the negativefilmstrip 111 by the camera or the reception processing device. Theclient ID data is read through a reading head 114, and is sent to acontrol unit 115. The control unit 115 retrieves the total of thenegative filmstrips that have been ordered to print by the client, froma client database 116 by use of the client ID data. Thereafter, thecontrol unit 115 counts up the total of the negative filmstrips by one.The client database 16 consists of the total number of negatives thathave been ordered by the individual client, in association withinformation about the individual client. After counting up the total ofthe negative filmstrips, the control unit 115 reads out the total fromthe client database 116.

A test picture database 117 stores image data of a plurality of testpictures and ideal characteristic value data of each test picture,wherein the test pictures are grouped such that one group is allocatedto each number of totals of the negative filmstrips. The control unit115 reads out data of one of the test pictures and its idealcharacteristic value data from the test picture database 117. The imagedata is sent to an exposure unit 118, whereas the ideal characteristicvalue data are sent to a writing head 119.

In this embodiment, the exposure unit 118 is a Laser type digital videoprinter. The exposure unit 118 records the selected test picture on theunexposed trailing end portion SA of the negative filmstrip 111 at anexposure value determined by the speed of the negative filmstrip 111,such that the pixel densities of the test picture would be ideal if thecoloring characteristics of the negative filmstrip 111 are normal, andthe developing condition is ideal.

As the ideal characteristic value data, positions of designated pixelsand ideal negative density of each of the designated pixels are used forthe digital video printer. The ideal characteristic value data iswritten on the magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip 111 by thewriting head 119. After the test picture is recorded in this way, thenegative filmstrip 111 is developed by a film processor.

FIG. 12 shows an example of test picture 122, wherein the idealcharacteristic value data concerning this test picture 122 is recordedon a magnetic track 123 on one side of the test picture 122.

FIG. 13 shows a device for detecting correction data based on image dataof the test picture 122, which is recorded on the trailing end portionSA in this instance. A scanner 125 consists of a lens system and animaging device, and measures density of each pixel of the test picture122 on the negative filmstrip 111. The measured actual negativedensities of the test picture 122 are fed to a correction table producer127 through a control unit 126. Simultaneously, a reading head 128 readsout the ideal characteristic value data from the magnetic track 123, andsends it to the correction table producer 127 through the controller126. It is preferable to include data defining the size of each pixel inthe ideal characteristic value data.

The correction table producer 127 extracts from the measured negativedensities of the test picture 122, densities of those pixels designatedby the ideal characteristic value data. If the coloring characteristicsof the negative filmstrip 111 are normal, and the developing conditionis ideal, the measured negative densities would be equal to the idealnegative densities of the same pixels, as implied by dashed line in FIG.15.

In practice, because of the variation in the coloring characteristicsand in the developing conditions, the actual negative densities of thetest picture is diverse from the ideal characteristic curve as shown forexample by a solid line in FIG. 15. Thus, a difference between theactual value and the ideal value is detected as a correction value ateach density level. In this example, the actual densities are lower thanthe ideal densities in the whole range. Therefore, a deficiency ofdensity is calculated at each designated pixel, to produce a correctiontable corresponding to a conversion curve shown by slid line in FIG. 16.The correction table is written on the magnetic track 123 by a writinghead 129.

To print the test picture and the other picture frames, the photo filmcartridge 110 is put, for instance, in a Laser type digital videoprinter. Then, the digital video printer reads out the correction tablefrom the magnetic track 123. By use of the correction table, the imagedata of each pixel, which corresponds to an actual negative density ofFIG. 16, is converted into corrected image data, which corresponds to acorrected negative density of FIG. 16. Intensity of the Laser beam ismodified in accordance with the corrected image data, printing the testpicture and the other picture frames on photographic paper.

Although the correction data detecting device of FIG. 13 is separatefrom the printer, it is possible to incorporate such a device into aprinter. In that case, a scanner should be placed before a printingstation of the printer, and a correction table is written in a tablememory.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 14, a density chart 132 isrecorded in combination with a test picture, and ideal negativedensities of the density chart 132 is recorded on a magnetic track 133.Actual negative densities are measured from the density chart 132. Acorrection table is produced from differences between the actualnegative densities and the ideal negative densities, in the same way asabove.

It is possible to use density histogram for detecting correction data.FIG. 17A shows an example of ideal density histogram appended to a testpicture. Peak values P1, P2 and P3 of the ideal density histogram arewritten as ideal characteristic value data on a magnetic track of thenegative filmstrip 111 besides the test picture. After the filmstrip 111is developed, pixel densities of the test picture are measured to get adensity histogram. FIG. 17B shows an example of density histogram of thetest picture. A correction table is produced from the deviations of peakvalues P4, P5 and P6 of the actual density histogram from the peakvalues P1, P2 and P3 of the ideal density histogram.

Since common people use less than a dozen filmstrips, if all the testpictures are renewed every month, the client mostly get a differentcomplimentary photograph for each exposed filmstrip. Therefore, it ispossible to record the test picture on the individual negative filmstripduring the manufacture, while renewing the test picture at regularintervals.

When recording the test picture at the factory, the manufacturer recordsthe ideal characteristic value data on the magnetic recording layer ifthe negative filmstrip is of IX240 type. As for the ISO135 type, themanufacturer records an ID number of each kind of test picture with thetest picture, while providing the photo-labs with a table showing arelationship between ID numbers and respective kinds of test pictures,as well as the ideal characteristic value data of the respective testpictures. Thus, the photofinisher retrieves the ideal characteristicvalue data in correspondence with the ID number, and uses it forcontrolling print-exposure. It is possible to record the ID number ofthe test picture on the magnetic recording layer of the IX240 filmstrip.It is also possible to identify the test picture by the picture patternmatching, instead of the ID number.

It is preferable to photograph a test picture on a filmstrip containedin a lens-fitted photo film unit through a taking lens of the film unitin the factory before the shipment. The ideal characteristic value dataor the ID number of the test picture may be recorded on the magneticrecording layer of the filmstrip before the filmstrip is packed in thefilm unit. In that case, the developed test picture is compared to theoriginal test picture. The difference in shape, i.e. the dimensionaldifference, from the original are used for compensating for theaberration of the taking lens. The ideal characteristic value data isused for correcting shading and blur amount.

As described so far, the present invention should not be limited to theembodiments shown in the drawings but, on the contrary, variousmodifications will be possible for people skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of claims attached hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing method comprising the steps of:recording a test picture photographically on a negative filmstripoutside a predetermined frame recording area; measuring densities ordimensions of the test picture after developing the negative film;calculating correction data from data of the measured densities ordimensions and ideal characteristic value data assigned to the testpicture; and printing picture frames photographed on the frame recordingarea of the filmstrip and the test picture while controlling printingbased on the correction data.
 2. A printing method as claimed in claim1, further comprising the steps of selecting the test picture for aclient according to data of the client, before recording the testpicture.
 3. A printing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein thenegative filmstrip is contained in a lens-fitted photo film unit, andthe test picture is photographed on the filmstrip through a taking lensof the film unit.
 4. A printing method as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe correction data is a correction table showing a relationship betweenactual negative densities measured from the test picture and correctednegative densities.
 5. A printing method as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe test picture contains a portrait or a landscape.
 6. A printingmethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test picture comprises aphotographic image.